Russian military deploys surveillance drones in Arctic

Russian military drones have begun making reconnaissance and monitoring flights in the Arctic. The vehicles, with a range of up to 150 kilometers (93 miles), are able to transmit video to operators in both day and nighttime conditions.

“Takhion and
Eleron-3 unmanned aerial vehicles have been taking off into the
skies of Murmansk region,” the head of the Russian Defense
Ministry's Northern Fleet press service, Vadim Serga, said on
Wednesday.

Takhion drones can fly at an altitude of up to 4,000 meters
(13,100 feet) and conduct missions even in adverse weather
conditions. The vehicle, which can be used as a radio repeater,
can operate at temperatures ranging from -30C to +40C (-22F to
+104F).

Eleron-3 drones are capable of carrying up to 0.5 kilogram of
cargo which can include TV-, IR- and photo-cameras, as well as a
radio repeater. The 3.5 kilogram aircraft can fly in both
autonomous and radio command modes.

In March, Russia launched large-scale military drills to test the
armed forces' readiness to counter challenges in its northern
regions, particularly in the Arctic. Some 38,000 troops, 41
ships, 15 submarines, 110 jets, and choppers took part in the
drills which focused on boosting Russia’s military presence in
the Arctic and testing how quickly special operations forces
could be transported large distances.